“A measure like the No Budget, No Pay Act is long overdue. While Americans are struggling and Washington continues to drive this country further into debt, Congress continues to play politics. In Tennessee, we not only pass a budget, we balance it. That Congress refuses to do so and continues to get paid is appalling. We should demand better from our leadership in Washington. I encourage the entire Tennessee delegation to support this measure. I wholeheartedly agree with this legislation as it is time to restore fiscal responsibility to the federal government.”

Harwell issued the statement a day before U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Nashville, is to testify on the bill before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Cooper and U.S. Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., are sponsoring the measure, which would stop members of Congress’ paychecks until they pass a federal budget. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Jasper, also signed on as a co-sponsor.